EXCLUSIVE: Raith Rovers could be SOLD as owner invites investors to step forward

Raith Rovers have called for new investors to step forward, with a majority shareholding in the club potentially up for sale.

Owner John Sim, who is based between Kirkcaldy and Bangkok, has arrived in Scotland to spearhead a push to attract fresh investment at Stark’s Park.

And Courier Sport understands Sim’s majority shareholding is on the table, should the right candidate emerge.

In a new statement, sent to the Courier, club custodians have revealed the wider challenges of the economic climate mean they face a clear choice to: “Either scale back football operations to the break even position… and/or seek further ways to change the economic business model by bringing in outside investors with funds and expertise.”

To that end, they have invited potential investors with a grasp of Rovers’ importance to the community in Kirkcaldy and further afield in Fife to step forward in hopes of transforming the club, currently chaired by businessman Steven MacDonald.

Their statement said: “Raith Rovers is looking at ways to bring additional investment into the club.”

“Since the 2005 takeover, the club has striven to break even, maintain the stadium and field a competitive team.

“This has been a challenge and never more so than in the current economic environment.

“Significant investments have been made in the artificial playing surface, new state-of-the-art floodlights and the Titan Portacabin which is in process of becoming a community cafe.

“Certain structural issues dating back to the reconstruction of the ground 25 years ago have come to light and have had to be dealt with.

“In addition, the inherited bank debt of approximately £500,000, secured by the stadium, has been paid off and the club has been able to get as high as third in the Championship.

“More work remains to be done and there is significant deferred stadium maintenance which must be dealt with.

“Over the period since 2005 the club’s average operating loss has been around £150,000 a season.

“Unfortunately, in Scottish football the most successful clubs get most and there is little attempt to increase competition by spreading funds more equitably.

‘Interested parties… contact the club’

“The choice is clear: either scale back football operations to the break even position envisioned in 2005 and/or seek further ways to change the economic business model by bringing in outside investors with funds and expertise.

“It is important that any individual/group coming in understands the importance of the club and the Community Foundation to the Kirkcaldy/Glenrothes area and has the long-term best interests of the club and Community Foundation at heart.

“The club would therefore invite any interested parties to contact the club.”